A Sicilian Romance

There he held it, while we ascended and descended; and I

soon breathed the air of freedom again. But the apprehension of being

retaken was still too powerful to permit a full enjoyment of my

escape. It was my plan to proceed to the place of my faithful

Caterina's nativity, where she had assured me I might find a safe

asylum in the cottage of her parents, from whom, as they had never

seen me, I might conceal my birth. This place, she said, was entirely

unknown to the marquis, who had hired her at Naples only a few months

before, without any enquiries concerning her family. She had informed

me that the village was many leagues distant from the castle, but that

she was very well acquainted with the road. At the foot of the walls

we left Nicolo, who returned to the castle to prevent suspicion, but

with an intention to leave it at a less dangerous time, and repair to

Farrini to his good Caterina. I parted from him with many thanks, and

gave him a small diamond cross, which, for that purpose, I had taken

from the jewels sent to me for wedding ornaments.'